“THE FATHER OF AMERICAN LITERATURE”: LIMITED EDITION OF WASHINGTON IRVING’S WORKS, WITH HUNDREDS OF ILLUSTRATIONS

IRVING, Washington. The Writings. New York and London: G.P. Putnam's Sons, circa 1900. Forty volumes. Octavo, contemporary full green morocco gilt, elaborately gilt-decorated boards, red reverse calf doublures, watered silk free endpapers, top edges gilt, uncut. $6200.

Limited “Joseph Jefferson" edition,” number 163 of 250 sets signed by the actor Joseph Jefferson, lavishly illustrated with hand-colored frontispieces in each volume and over 700 full-page and in-text illustrations.

"Before Emerson and Lowell, [Irving] married American literature to the literature of the world. He has every right to retain the title enthusiastically bestowed upon him, 'Father of American Literature" (Kunitz & Haycraft, 407). Contains all of Irving's classic histories, biographies, travel accounts and tales, including Knickerbocker's History of New York, Life of Washington, Life of Columbus, The Sketch Book and Astoria. This set has been named after, and signed by, the actor Joseph Jefferson (1829-1905), famed for his portrayal of Rip Van Winkle on the stage and in early film.

Fine condition.